Whether for a home or business, an exterior paint job in southwest Florida represents an investment that both beautifies and protects the underlying asset. Naturally, you want your paint job to last as long as possible to stretch out the value of that investment. This begs the question as to what can be done to ensure that your exterior paint job endures for as long as possible.

The average exterior paint job in the Naples, Florida area lasts from five to 12 years. The keys to making exterior paint stick, beautify, and protect longer towards the double-digit years involve the paint job itself and regular maintenance thereafter. Read on for FCI’s advice for how to ensure longevity with your exterior paint job.

Prep Work Goes a Long Way in Ensuring Durability

You’ve probably noticed that “prep work” is often emphasized on this blog and in other articles about painting. Well, that’s because it works. If surfaces aren’t properly prepared for the paint application, adhesion and longevity can definitely be compromised. The prep work concept is easy—get the surfaces as clean and smooth as possible—but the job itself can prove tedious depending upon the condition of the surface. At the least, old, peeling or flaking paint needs to be removed, rough areas need to be sanded, and any damaged surfaces should be repaired.

Once this is done surfaces should be completely cleaned, preferably with a cleaner specifically designed to remove contaminants that hinder paint adhesion. You can also opt for pressure washing, which is easier and more effective at removing contaminants than hand washing.

You Get What You Pay For

The adage “you get what you pay for” generally holds true with exterior paint. High-quality paints are developed with ingredients designed to offer the best aesthetics and longest durability. Many cheaper brands also offer perfectly respectable finishes, but they are typically less likely to last as long as the higher quality paints.

Application Certainly Makes a Difference

How exterior paint is applied to the surfaces will certainly contribute to your paint job’s longevity. A primary rule of overall application is to make sure surfaces are totally dry before painting. We recommend starting the job with a first-coat primer, as they add durability and more protection from mildew, cracking, and breakdown. Paint that is just slapped onto a surface without concern for amounts used or that the paint is being properly applied—whether by brush, roller, or sprayer—will not last. Correct application also means that the correct paint is being used for each specific surface. For example, using an oil-based paint on a surface originally painted with a water-based one will likely result in a short-lived finish.

Follow Up Your Exterior Paint Job with Regular Maintenance     

Once you’ve successfully painted the exterior of your home or business, the elements are going to begin slowly wearing away at and otherwise start compromising the finish. However, regular maintenance can help limit this slow degradation. Surface cleaning goes a long way in extending the life of an exterior paint job and an annual pressure wash can add years to the finish. Also, be sure to quickly fix and apply touch-up paint to any weather-damaged surfaces as quickly as possible.

Consult with an Exterior Paint Specialist

If you really want to ensure a long-lasting exterior paint job, consider hiring FCI Painting. With more than 25 years of professional interior and exterior painting experience in the Naples, Florida area, FCI painting has a stellar record of producing exterior paint jobs that last. To consult with us about any of your painting needs in the southwest Florida area, you can reach us by contacting FCI Painting online, or by giving us a call at (239) 435-1001.